1.

Metallic-Coated Products and Specifications

GalvInfoNote Understanding Coating Weight Designations
1.1 for Zinc-Based Coatings on Steel Sheet
REV 4.0 DEC 2020

Introduction
One of the most confusing aspects of coated steel sheet products are coating weight designations and what
they mean, particularly with respect to product performance. This article is intended to clarify this issue.

Coating Weight [Mass] Designation Systems

Each coated steel sheet product has its own coating weight designation system, which is defined in the
appropriate ASTM standard. For example, the most widely used ASTM metallic-coated sheet standard is
A653/A653M, which covers hot-dip galvanized products. One of the coating weight designation systems in
this standard uses descriptors such as G60, G90, etc. The “G” means the coating is galvanize (zinc), and
the numbers refer to the weight of zinc on the surface of the steel sheet in inch-pound (English/Imperial)
units. Taking G90 as an example, the coating weight on one square foot of sheet (total- both-sides of the
sheet) shall have a triple spot test (TST) average minimum of 0.90 ounces. If equally applied to both sides
of the sheet, there would be a minimum of 0.45 ounces on each square foot of surface.
The other measurement system in widespread use today is the SI [Metric] system. The conversion from
the inch-pound weight1 in ounces per square foot (oz/ft 2) to the SI mass2, 3 in grams per square metre (g/m2)
is:
1.00 oz/ft2 = 305 g/m2
To convert from oz/ft2 to g/m2, multiply by 305
Example: G90 (0.90 oz/ft2) = Z275 (275 g/m2)

If what we are interested in is the coating thickness, why do ASTM COATING WEIGHT MEASUREMENT
standards not use thickness measurements? The answer is simply There is a very precise on-line
that it is difficult to directly measure the thickness accurately and technique for measuring coating
repeatedly. For example, a G90 coating contributes about 1.6 mils thickness. The equipment required is
expensive, uses sophisticated x-ray or
(0.0016 inches, or about 42 microns) to the total thickness of the radioisotope fluorescence devices,
coated sheet. For a coating equally applied to both sides of the sheet, and requires considerable expertise to
this means there is about 0.0008 inches (21 microns) of zinc on each operate. These gauges repeatedly
surface. To accurately determine the thickness of the coating, the sense the coating thickness on each
surface, average a large number of
coated thickness must be measured, the coating stripped off, and readings, and then convert the results
then the steel substrate thickness measured using a gauge capable into the more familiar coating weight
of accurately reading to the nearest ten-thousandth of an inch. This values. Laboratory versions of this
is extremely difficult to do with good accuracy. On-line equipment is equipment are also available. Refer to
ASTM Test Method A754/A754M for
available that can nondestructively do this (see sidebar), but the most more information. These gauges
representative manual method of determining the amount of coating require calibration based on weigh-
present is to measure its weight [mass] on a larger and given surface strip-weigh testing.
area using the “weigh-strip-weigh” technique. Weigh-strip-weigh
refers to the procedure of weighing a standard size sample of the product using a very accurate scale,
stripping the coating in an inhibited acid without removing any of the substrate, then reweighing the coupon
to determine the weight [mass] loss. This is the original method of determining coating weight [mass], and,
in fact, is still the referee method used to check and calibrate nondestructive on-line and laboratory coating
thickness gauges. There are weigh-strip-weigh procedures that can be used for all zinc-based coatings in
commercial production today. For the most common products, these procedures are defined in ASTM

1
Weight is a measure of the pull of the force of gravity (Weight/Force = Mass x Acceleration of gravity)
2
Mass is a fundamental property – the same everywhere
3
For the purpose of measuring metallic coatings, mass and weight are equivalent everywhere on earth
GalvInfo Center email: info@galvinfo.com Toll-free phone: 1-888-880-8802

1
 GalvInfoNote 1.1
Rev 4.0 Dec 2020

Standard A90/A90M, and cover galvanized and galvannealed sheet, 55% aluminum-zinc alloy-coated
sheet, zinc-5% aluminum alloy-coated sheet, and zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloy-coated sheet. There are
special procedures required for other types of alloy coatings such as aluminized, and zinc-nickel alloy
electroplated sheet. These are covered by other ASTM standards.

Coating Weight and Gauge Numbers – In the Beginning

In the early days of galvanizing, individual sheets were “hand dipped” in molten zinc and allowed to “drip dry”. More
sophisticated wiping technology was not available, so zinc coatings were much thicker than today. Galvanized sheet was
sold by weight per square foot using the Galvanized Sheet Gauge (CSG) system1. The decimal thicknesses in the GSG
system were equal to the steel sheet Manufacturers’ Standard Gauge (MSG), but with a 0.0037” allowance for a relatively
thick zinc coating of 1.25 oz/ft2 on each surface. The gauge numbers did not refer to only one thickness, but instead
represented a thickness range within the allowable weight tolerance for each gauge number.

The 1.25 oz coating on hand dipped sheets was sometimes not very adherent because of its thickness and chemistry, limiting
application to end uses that involved only mild forming. Such a thick coating was much more than was needed for most
applications, plus the zinc cost was an appreciable portion of the sheet selling price, especially for thin sheet. In the 1930s
the sheet galvanizing process began migrating to the continuous method with its higher production rate and improved
wiping methods. At the processing speeds used it was, and still is, very difficult to successfully apply 1.25 ounces of zinc
on each surface of thin sheet. At about the same time, the industry learned that a small amount of aluminum in the zinc
bath markedly improved zinc adhesion. Manufacturers saw an opportunity, so began producing coated sheet with lower
coating weights, which reduced production costs, resulted in a much more formable coating, yet provided adequate
corrosion protection for the markets that did not need thick coatings.

The most common of the original thinner coatings was labeled “1.25 Commercial”, which aimed at minimum 0.90 oz/ft2,
split between both sides. In 1964 such coatings were formally standardized in ASTM specification A525 General
Requirements for Steel Sheet, Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) by the Hot-Dip Process. Coating Class “1.25 Commercial”
became Coating Designation “G90”, with a specified minimum weight of 0.90 oz/ft2, total both sides. The coating class
known as “Light Commercial” became Coating Designation “G60”. Coating Class “2.50” (equivalent to the original 1.25
per side coating) became Coating Designation “G210”.

The above short history explains the origin and meaning of “1.25 Commercial” coating, which even today is occasionally
referred to in the marketplace, as are gauge numbers. It is important to remember that “1.25 Commercial” has not existed
since the late 1950s, andgauge numbers were never regulated and did not refer to only one thickness, but instead to a range
of thicknesses.

1 Steel Sheet Facts 10, Steel Gauges and Thicknesses, Canadian Steel Sheet Building Institute, September 2012,
http://cssbi.ca/assets/resources/Fact_Sheets/CSSBI-Facts10-12.pdf

ASTM Coating Designations – What do they specify?

• ASTM designations for hot-dip coated sheet specify:
– Minimum triple spot test (TST) value
• Average of three edge-center-edge readings
• A total-both-sides (TBS) requirement (See A924/A924M for testing details)
– Minimum single spot test (SST) value
• A single spot TBS requirement, and
– Minimum single side requirement
• Is normally not less than 40% of the minimum SST, TBS requirement
• The TST test only applies to the original, full-width (as-coated) sheet

GalvInfo Center email: info@galvinfo.com Toll-free phone: 1-888-880-8802

2
 GalvInfoNote 1.1
Rev 4.0 Dec 2020

• Narrow sheet cut from full-width sheet is subject only to a minimum SST, TBS requirement
• With the exception of supplementary Table S2.1 in A653/A653M, ASTM specifications state that
the minimum weight on one side of a single spot is normally not less than 40% of the
minimum TBS requirement
• Examples of full-width pass/fail test results for A653 are given below

Table 1 Example G90 Coating Weight Results - Illustrating Passing and Failing the Requirements
of A653/A653M (Table 1) – values in oz/ft2

Requirements of A653 (Table 1):

Minimum Triple Spot Test average (TST), Total Both Sides (TBS) – 0.90 oz/ft2
Minimum Single Spot Test (SST), Total Both Sides (TBS) – 0.80 oz/ft2
Single Spot Test (SST) ‘normally not less than’ 0.32 oz/ft2 on any one side (per Footnote A of A653 Table 1)

Example Test E1 E2 E3 TST Comments

1 TBS 0.92 0.93 0.96 0.94 Passes min TST
2 TBS 0.85 0.93 0.96 0.91 Passes min TST
3 TBS 0.85 0.87 0.96 0.89 Fails on min TST
4 TBS 0.78 0.95 0.96 0.90 Fails on min SST
OS-Top 0.301 0.32 0.40
Passes on min TST-TBS
5 OS-Bot 0.55 0.62 0.55 Review Low OS-Top value
TBS 0.85 0.94 0.95 0.91

1 This value is marginally below the aim of ‘normally not less than’ 40 % (0.32 oz/ft2) of the SST-TBS value of 0.80 oz/ft2 on
any one side of a G90 SST. Production coating weight [mass] data should be reviewed to determine if there is a need for
retesting before the product can be approved.

Designation System for Galvanized and Galvannealed Sheet Products

Galvanize – For galvanized sheet, common inch-pound coating weight designations (ordered as A653 or
A1063) are, in oz/ft2:
G30 G40 G60 G90 G115
These designations specify the minimum average TST, total-both-sides, tested per ASTM A924/A924M,
e.g., G90 requires a minimum average TST of 0.90 oz/ft2 total-both-sides. The specification stipulates that
TST samples shall be taken from defined positions at the edge-center-edge of the as-coated sheet.
There are designations for heavier coatings, such as G165 and G210, but these products are used for very
specialized applications and are generally not available on thinner gauge sheet.
In SI units (ordered as A653M or A1063M), the comparable coating mass designations for galvanized sheet
are, in g/m2:
Z90 Z120 Z180 Z275 Z350
These designations specify the minimum average TST, total-both-sides, tested per A924/A924M, e.g., Z275
requires a minimum average TST of 275 g/m2 total-both-sides.
In 2007 ASTM added the option of ordering single side, single spot test (SST) coating designations to
A653/A653M. These are SI designations only (ordered to A653M) and specify the minimum and maximum
allowable coating mass per side for any SST. They take the familiar form of automotive coating
designations (numeric characters first – signifying a per side requirement). No inch-pound designations
are used since single side coatings are traditionally ordered in SI units only.

GalvInfo Center email: info@galvinfo.com Toll-free phone: 1-888-880-8802

3
 GalvInfoNote 1.1
Rev 4.0 Dec 2020

Examples are:
60G 70G 90G
These designations specify the minimum and maximum SST value on each surface, e.g., 60G requires a
minimum of 60 g/m2 and a maximum of 110 g/m2 of zinc on each surface for any SST.
When specifying single side single spot coatings, the designation for each surface must be shown, e.g.,
60G60G.

Coating weight [mass] versus coating life – For galvanized coatings in most applications
and environments, the corrosion performance is an approximate linear function of coating
weight (thickness). For instance, a G60 coating has twice the thickness of a G30 coating, and
the life of the product (defined, perhaps, as the time to 5% red rust) in a given environment is
approximately twice as long. Similarly, a G90 coating is approximately 50% thicker than a G60
coating, and thus would be expected to perform 50% better (in terms of time to 5% red rust).
For a more thorough discussion on service life, see GalvInfoNote 3.1. Limits on maximum
acceptable coating weights for an application are usually determined by other factors such as
cost or formability. For a more thorough discussion of this topic see GalvInfoNotes 1.6 and 2.5.

For other metallic-coated sheet products, the life versus coating thickness is typically not linear;
thus determining the coating weight [mass] to use is not as simple as it is for galvanized
coatings. Also, when these products are painted, the behaviour is even more complex. The
subject of painted hot-dip products is addressed in GalvInfoNotes 4.1 and 4.2.

Zinc-Iron (Galvanneal) – The common inch-pound coating weight designations (ordered as A653) for
galvannealed sheet (zinc-iron alloy-coated) are, in oz/ft2:
A25 A40 A60
As with galvanized product designators, A40 for example, requires a minimum average TST coating weight
of 0.40 oz/ft2, total-both-sides. While the coating contains approximately 8 to 10% iron, resulting in the
density being slightly higher than a zinc coating and the coating thickness being slightly less than a G40
galvanize coating, the difference is too small to be of concern. The effect of density is discussed in the
section on 55% Al-Zn coatings, and in GalvInfoNote 1.10. Also, see GalvInfoNote 1.3 for a full explanation
of hot-dip galvanneal coatings.
The SI equivalent coating mass designations (ordered as A653M) for galvannealed sheet are, in g/m2:
ZF75 ZF120 ZF180
ZF120, for example, requires a minimum average TST of 120 g/m2 total-both-sides.
As with galvanize, the option of ordering zinc-iron coatings to single side, SST coating designations has
been added to A653/A653M. Again, these are SI designations only (ordered to A653M), specifying the
minimum and maximum allowable coating mass per side for any single spot, and taking the familiar form of
automotive coating designations (numeric characters first – signifying a per side requirement). No inch-
pound designations are used since single side coatings are traditionally ordered in SI units only. Examples
are:
45A 50A
These designations relate to the minimum and maximum SST value on each surface, e.g., 45A requires a
minimum of 45 g/m2 and a maximum of 75 g/m2 of zinc-iron alloy on each surface for any SST.
When specifying single side, SST coatings, the designation for each surface must be shown, e.g., 45A45A.
………………………

GalvInfo Center email: info@galvinfo.com Toll-free phone: 1-888-880-8802

4
 GalvInfoNote 1.1
Rev 4.0 Dec 2020

For galvanized and galvannealed sheet, the three-significant figure relationship between coating weight
[mass] and thickness (based on zinc density of 446 lb/ft3 [7140 kg/m3]) is:

1.00 oz/ft2 = 0.00168 in = 305 g/m2 = 0.0427 mm (1)

Designation System for Electrogalvanized Sheet Products

For electroplated coatings (pure zinc and zinc-based alloy coatings), SI system (g/m2) designators are most
commonly used, although ASTM Standard A879/A879M for electrogalvanize includes the inch-pound
[oz/ft2] designator system. The reason for the initial use of SI designators is that many electroplated
products were and still are used for automotive applications. Automobile producers, who implemented
worldwide coated sheet specifications many years ago, use only SI units.
For electrogalvanized sheet, common inch-pound coating weight designations (ordered as A879) are, in
oz/ft2:
08Z 13Z 30Z
These designations relate to the minimum and maximum SST value on each surface, as defined in ASTM
A879/A879M, e.g., 13Z requires a minimum of 0.13 and a maximum of 0.23 oz/ft2 of zinc on each surface
for any SST. Again, the numeric characters come first, signifying per side requirements.
When specifying, the designation for each surface must be shown, e.g., 13Z13Z.
For electrogalvanized sheet, common SI coating weight designations (ordered as A879M) are, in g/m 2:
24G 40G 90G
These designations relate to the minimum and maximum SST value on each surface, as defined in ASTM
A879/A879M, e.g., 40G requires a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 90 g/m2 of zinc on each surface for
any SST.
Again, the designation for each surface must be shown, e.g., 40G40G.
See GalvInfoNote 2.2 for an explanation of the electrogalvanizing process.

Keeping ASTM Designation Systems Straight

As hot-dip galvanized and galvannealed coatings saw more use by the automotive industry, it became the
practice to manufacture these products to conform to single side, SST g/m 2 values; that being the
requirement of automotive manufacturers. Products ordered for construction and other general end uses
continue to be ordered to total-both-sides, TST, inch-pound designations. For hot-dip galvanize, as we
have seen, ASTM uses “G” (prior to the numerals) in the designator for inch-pound coatings and “Z” for SI
coatings – total-both-sides in each case. On the other hand, for electrogalvanize “G” (after the numerals)
means SI units and “Z” means inch-pound units – single spot, single side in each case.
The use of both dimensional units, and the reversal of “G” and “Z” between TST hot-dip, and single side,
SST EG in ASTM specifications, certainly can lead to confusion in the marketplace. Table 2 below
summarizes what the various designations mean in terms of single spot and triple spot requirements.

GalvInfo Center email: info@galvinfo.com Toll-free phone: 1-888-880-8802

5
 GalvInfoNote 1.1
Rev 4.0 Dec 2020

Table 2 Galvanized Sheet Coating Designations Explained

Product Type and Coating Requirements

Coating
Coating Tests Required
Designation
Format Specification Coating Units Single Side Total Both Sides
SST TST SST TST
Gnn A653 – Table 1 Zinc - HD oz/ft2 NONE Min Min Min

Znn A653M – Table 1 Zinc - HD g/m2 NONE Min Min Min

Ann A653 – Table 1 Zinc-iron - HD oz/ft2 NONE Min Min Min

ZFnn A653M – Table 1 Zinc-iron - HD g/m2 NONE Min Min Min

nnZnnZ A879 Zinc - EG oz/ft2 Min & Max NONE NONE NONE

nnGnnG A879M Zinc - EG g/m2 Min & Max NONE NONE NONE

nnGnnG A653 M – Table S2.1 Zinc - HD g/m2 Min & Max NONE NONE NONE

nnAnnA A653 M – Table S2.1 Zinc-iron - HD g/m2 Min & Max NONE NONE NONE

nnGnnG Auto (typical) 1 Zinc - HD & EG g/m2 Min & Max NONE NONE NONE

nnAnnA Auto (typical) 2 Zinc-iron - HD & EG g/m2 Min & Max NONE * NONE NONE
Notes: nn = numerals (2 or 3) specific to coating weight [mass]
HD = Hot-Dip
EG = Electrogalvanize
SST = Single Spot Test
TST = Triple Spot Test
* some auto manufacturers require a minimum TST

For additional clarification, see Table 3 below, which provides the requirements of selected coating weight
[mass] examples for galvanized sheet made to ASTM specifications.
It is not easy to keep the terminology straight. Users should be aware that both units are in common use
today, and are advised to pay close attention when ordering, knowing precisely what is meant by the
terminology being used. See the Table 4 at the end of this article, which summarizes the designations used
for most hot-dip products, and may be useful in keeping terminology clear.

GalvInfo Center email: info@galvinfo.com Toll-free phone: 1-888-880-8802

6
 GalvInfoNote 1.1
Rev 4.0 Dec 2020

Table 3 Selected ASTM Galvanized Sheet Designations – Requirements

Product Type Example Designation Requirement

TSTa average 0.90 oz/ft2 min – total both sides

G90
SSTb 0.80 oz/ft2 min – total both sides, and normally not
(A653, Table 1, in-lb)
less than 40% on any one side
Hot-Dip Galvanize TST average 275 g/m2 min – total both sides
Z275
(A653/A653M) SST 235 g/m2 min – total both sides, and normally not
(A653M, Table 1, SI)
less than 40% on any one side
60G60G
SST 60 g/m2 min, 110 g/m2 max – each side
(A653M, Table S2.1, SI)c
TST average 0.40 oz/ft2 min – total both sides
A40
SST 0.30 oz/ft2 min – total both sides, and normally not
(A653, Table 1, in-lb)
less than 40% on any one side
Hot-Dip Galvanneal TST average 120 g/m2 min – total both sides
ZF120
(A653/A653M) SST 90 g/m2 min – total both sides, and normally not
(A653M, Table 1, SI)
less than 40% on any one side
45A45A
SST 45 g/m2 min, 75 g/m2 max – each side
(A 53M, Table S2.1, SI)
13Z13Z SST 0.13 oz/ft2 min, 0.23 oz/ft2 max – each side
Electrogalvanize (A879, Table 1, in-lb)
(A879/A879M) 40G40G SST 40 g/m2 min, 70 g/m2 max – each side
(A879M, Table 1, SI)
a – Triple Spot Test b – Single Spot Test
c – For information purposes, Table S2.1 in A 653M shows inch-pound values for the SI coating designations

Total Both Side TST versus Single Side SST Coatings

Because the ASTM total-both-sides, TST designators allow an uneven split of the coating (one side SST
values are normally has at least 40% of the specified minimum SST total-both-sides coating weight), it is
not possible to precisely convert them to SST, single side designators since the latter specify exact
minimums per surface. It is sometimes useful, however, to provide an approximate conversion based on
the total coating thickness on both surfaces.
Figure 1 on the next page is a chart that allows this to be done, both in terms of coating designators and
thickness of the total coating. For instance, it can easily be seen that a G60 coating has a minimum total-
both-sides thickness of about 1.0 mil, which is the very close to twice the minimum per side thickness (2 x
12.5 microns) of a 90G90G coating. Remember, however, that a G60 coating is an average of 3 readings
(TST) and can have an uneven split of the total coating thickness, while a 90G90G coating must have a
minimum of 12.5 microns on each side for any single spot.
Figure 1 is a guideline only for estimating coating thickness in terms of the two systems and is not meant
to suggest equivalency. Also, the values shown are specified minimums. Actual coatings are always about
5 percent thicker in order to guarantee the minimums.

GalvInfo Center email: info@galvinfo.com Toll-free phone: 1-888-880-8802

7
 GalvInfoNote 1.1
Rev 4.0 Dec 2020

Figure 1
HOT-DIP GALVANIZED SHEET
COATING THICKNESS ILLUSTRATOR
(Information only - not for determining equivalency)
G115

2.0
ASTM A653 - Table 1
1.8 Coating Weight Designations
Displayed as G90
Coating Thickness - Mils

1.6 Minimum Coating Thickness (mils)

Triple Spot Test (TST)
Total Both Sides
1.4 (Each side not necessarily equal)

1.2 G60

1.0 100G100G (98G98G)

G40
0.8 90G90G ASTM A653M - Table S2.1
G30 Coating Mass Designations
0.6 70G70G Displayed as
60G60G Minimum Total Coating Thickness
(microns)
0.4 50G50G
Single Spot Test (SST)
40G40G (Per side thickness is 1/2 that shown)
0.2 30G30G
20G20G
0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50
Coating Thickness - Microns

Designation System for 55% Aluminum-Zinc Alloy-Coated Sheet

Steel sheet with a 55% aluminum-zinc alloy coating (55% Al-Zn alloy-coated) is in common use today
throughout the construction and appliance industries. It, too, has very specific coating designators.
Fortunately, there are only a few designators, but that doesn’t mean there is no confusion about the
meaning. The designation systems for coating weight and coating mass are given in ASTM Standard
A792/A792M.
The four inch-pound coating weight designations (ordered as A792) are, in oz/ft2:
AZ50 AZ55 AZ60 AZ70
These designations specify the minimum average of a TST, total-both-sides, tested per A924/A924M, e.g.,
AZ50 requires a minimum average TST of 0.50 oz/ft2 total-both-sides.
These designators are comparable to those used for galvanized sheet in that the dimensions are oz/ft 2. Be
aware, however, that the designation AZ60 is not equivalent to a G60 coating with respect to the thickness
of the coating. Here is where the issue of density comes into play. The coating on 55% Al-Zn alloy coated
sheet has 55% aluminum and about 45% zinc. Actually, the coating has a small addition of silicon, but for
purposes of this discussion the silicon is not important. Since aluminum is less dense than zinc (a given
volume weighs less than the same volume of zinc), an AZ60 coating is thicker than a G60 galvanize coating.
See the section on theoretical weight [mass] in GalvInfoNote 1.10 to understand how differences in coating
density affect coated sheet.
GalvInfo Center email: info@galvinfo.com Toll-free phone: 1-888-880-8802

8
 GalvInfoNote 1.1
Rev 4.0 Dec 2020

Because 55% Al-Zn alloy coating and a galvanize coating behave quite differently with respect to corrosion
processes, drawing a performance equivalency curve is not possible. There is no answer, therefore, to the
question: What 55% Al-Zn alloy coating is equivalent in performance to a G90 coating? The major use of
55% Al-Zn alloy coated sheet is for construction industry building panels, and for this application the most
common coating weights are AZ50 [AZM150] and AZ55 [AZM165]. As the differences in performance
between these two designators are subtle, ask your supplier which coating thickness is recommended for
your application.
For 55% Al-Zn alloy-coated sheet there is also a SI coating mass designator system (ordered as A792M).
The SI equivalents to AZ50, AZ55, AZ60 and AZ70 are, in g/m2:
AZM150 AZM165 AZM180 AZM210
These designations specify the minimum average of a TST, total-both-sides, per A924/A924M, e.g.,
AZM150 requires a minimum TST of 150 g/m2 total-both-sides.
Since 55% Al-Zn alloy-coated sheet is produced only by the hot-dip process, there is no additional
terminology or specification related to the manufacture of an electroplated product. Also, there are no SST,
single side designations for this product.
For 55% Al-Zn alloy-coated sheet, the three-significant figure relationship between coating weight [mass]
and thickness (based on an alloy density of 234 lb/ft3 [3750 kg/m3]) is:

1.00 oz/ft2 = 0.00320 in = 305 g/m2 = 0.0813 mm (2)

See GalvInfoNote 1.4 for a complete description of 55% Al-Zn alloy-coated sheet.

Designation System for Zinc-5% Aluminum Alloy-Coated Sheet

Steel sheet with a zinc-5% aluminum alloy coating (Zn-5% Al alloy-coated) is used by the construction,
automotive, and appliance industries. Zn-5% Al alloy-coated sheet has a coating that consists of 95% zinc
and 5% aluminum, and small amounts of other elements to improve processing and product characteristics.
The designation systems for coating weight and coating mass are given in ASTM Standard A875/A875M.
The common inch-pound coating weight designations (ordered as A875) are, in oz/ft2:
GF30 GF45 GF60 GF75 GF90
These designations specify the minimum average of a TST, total-both-sides, tested per A924/A924M, e.g.,
GF60 requires a minimum average TST of 0.60 oz/ft2 total-both-sides.
For Zn-5% Al alloy-coated sheet, since the coating contains about 95% zinc, and thus has nearly the same
density as zinc, a GF90 coating is approximately equivalent in thickness to a G90 galvanized coating.
The equivalent SI coating mass designations (ordered as A875M) are, in g/m2:
ZGF90 ZGF135 ZGF180 ZGF225 ZGF275
These designations specify the minimum average of a TST, total-both-sides, per A924/A924M, e.g.,
ZGF180 requires a minimum TST of 180 g/m2 total-both-sides.
As with 55% Al-Zn alloy-coated sheet, Zn-5% Al alloy-coated sheet is made only by the hot-dip process so
there are no designator systems that involve per side terminology.

For Zn-5% Al alloy-coated sheet, the three-significant figure relationship between coating weight [mass]
and thickness (based on an alloy density of 427 lb/ft3 [6840 kg/m3]) is:

1.00 oz/ft2 = 0.00175 in = 305 g/m2 = 0.0446 mm (3)

See GalvInfoNote 1.9 for a complete description of Zn-5% Al alloy-coated sheet.

GalvInfo Center email: info@galvinfo.com Toll-free phone: 1-888-880-8802

9
 GalvInfoNote 1.1
Rev 4.0 Dec 2020

Designation System for Zinc-Aluminum-Magnesium Alloy-Coated Sheet

A fourth zinc-based coating that is used where superior corrosion resistance is needed, is zinc-aluminum-
magnesium alloy-coated (Zn-Al-Mg alloy-coated) sheet. This alloy-coated sheet has 5 coating types, each
with different amounts of aluminum and magnesium, as shown below. The designation systems for coating
weight and coating mass are given in ASTM Standard A1046/A1046M.
The common inch-pound coating weight designations (ordered as A1046) are, in oz/ft2:
ZM30 ZM40 ZM60 ZM75 ZM90
These designations specify the minimum average of a TST, total-both-sides, tested per A924/A924M, e.g.,
ZM60 requires a minimum average TST of 0.60 oz/ft2 total-both-sides.
The equivalent SI coating mass designations (ordered as A1046M) are, in g/m2:
ZMM90 ZMM120 ZMM180 ZMM220 ZMM275
These designations specify the minimum average of a TST, total-both-sides, per A924/A924M, e.g.,
ZMM180 requires a minimum TST of 180 g/m2 total-both-sides.
As with 55% Al-Zn alloy-coated sheet, Zn-Al-Mg alloy-coated sheet is made only by the hot-dip process so
there are no designator systems that involve per side terminology.
For Zn-Al-Mg alloy-coated sheet, the three-significant figure relationship between coating weight [mass]
and thickness (based on a density of 375 lb/ft3 [6001 kg/m3] for Type 1, 5-9% Al; 356 lb/ft3 [5700 kg/m3]
for Type 1, 9-13% Al; 385 lb/ft3 [6170 kg/m3] for Type 2; 401 lb/ft3 [6430 kg/m3] for Type 3; 415 lb/ft3
[6650 kg/m3] for Type 4; and 388 lb/ft3 [6210 kg/m3] for Type 5) is:

Type 1 – 5 to 9% Al; 2 to 4% Mg: 1.00 oz/ft2 = 0.00200 in = 305 g/m2 = 0.0508 mm (4)

– 9 to 13% Al; 2 to 4% Mg: 1.00 oz/ft2 = 0.00210 in = 305 g/m2 = 0.0533 mm (5)

Type 2 – 3 to <5% Al; 2 to 4% Mg: 1.00 oz/ft2 = 0.00195 in = 305 g/m2 = 0.0495 mm (6)

Type 3 – 3 to 6% Al; 0.4 to <2% Mg: 1.00 oz/ft2 = 0.00187 in = 305 g/m2 = 0.0475 mm (7)

Type 4 – 0.5 to <3% Al; 0.4 to 2.6% Mg: 1.00 oz/ft2 = 0.00181 in = 305 g/m2 = 0.0460 mm (8)

Type 5 – 0.5 to 3% Al; 2.6 to 4% Mg: 1.00 oz/ft2 = 0.00193 in = 305 g/m2 = 0.0490 mm (9)

GalvInfo Center email: info@galvinfo.com Toll-free phone: 1-888-880-8802

10
 GalvInfoNote 1.1
Rev 4.0 Dec 2020

Summary
This article explains the complexities of coating designation systems and hopefully provides a better
understanding of why it is important to be sure that you and your supplier are speaking the same language.
Table 4 gives examples of some of the designators discussed above. See GalvInfoNote 1.10 for an
explanation of how coatings affect the metrics of coated steel sheet products.

Table 4 Designators for Zinc-Based Coatings on Steel Sheet - SUMMARY

Example of Common Coating Coating Weight Coating Mass

Product Designations inch-pound SI
inch-pound SI oz/ft2 g/m2
Total Both Sides - Minimum Triple Spot Average
ASTM A653/A653M
G90 Z275 0.90 275
Galvanize
ASTM A653/A653M
A40 ZF120 0.40 120
Galvanneal
ASTM A792/A792M
AZ55 AZM165 0.55 165
55% Al-Zn alloy-coated
ASTM A875/A875M
GF75 ZGF225 0.75 225
Zn-5% Al alloy-coated
ASTM A1046/A1046M
ZM90 ZMM275 0.90 275
Zn-Al-Mg alloy-coated

Single Side++ - Minimum Single Spot

ASTM A653M
N/A* 60G 0.20 60
Galvanize (Table S2.1)
ASTM A653M
N/A* 45A 0.15 45
Galvanneal (Table S2.1)
ASTM A879/A879M
13Z 40G 0.13 40
Electrogalvanize
Automotive Specified
N/A* 100G N/A* 100
Galvanize
Automotive Specified
N/A* 45A N/A* 45
Galvanneal

* Not Applicable
++
Single side designators are used to specify the coating mass for each side and are written, for example, 60G60G, or in the
case of differential coating masses, 90G60G.

Copyright© 2020 – IZA

Disclaimer:

Articles, research reports, and technical data are provided for information purposes only. Although the publishers endeavor to
provide accurate, timely information, the International Zinc Association does not warrant the research results or information reported
in this communication and disclaims all liability for damages arising from reliance on the research results or other information
contained in this communication, including, but not limited to, incidental or consequential damages.

GalvInfo Center email: info@galvinfo.com Toll-free phone: 1-888-880-8802

11